What does sweltering mean?
Sweltering means extremely hot, especially when the heat feels oppressive, exhausting, or difficult to bear. The word is commonly used with nouns such as heat, summer, sun, day, and weather, and it carries a vivid sense of discomfort rather than merely describing pleasant sunshine. For example, someone might complain about sweltering heat during a summer journey or describe a city as sweltering when its streets and buildings trap warmth. Although it can suggest intense summer conditions, sweltering can also apply to any exceptionally hot environment, including a kitchen, vehicle, or room. The word is usually understood figuratively: it conveys both the physical intensity of the heat and the strain it causes. As a verb form, sweltering means to be subjected to or experience such oppressive heat.
Extremely hot, especially in a way that feels oppressive or uncomfortable.
"The hikers rested under a tree during the sweltering afternoon."
Often used with heat, summer, sun, weather, and day.
To suffer or be subjected to oppressive heat.
"The workers sweltered in the field throughout the afternoon."
Usually used in the continuous form, as in sweltering heat or sweltering in the sun.
Sweltering captures heat so intense that it feels like an ordeal, not merely a sunny day.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sweltering come from?
Sweltering is the present participle of swelter, a verb meaning to suffer or be affected by oppressive heat. The word belongs to an English family that includes swelter and swelteringly; its precise deeper origin is uncertain, so the relation should not be assigned a definite source language.
Related word forms
How sweltering is actually used
Generally figurative and strongly evaluative. It describes heat that is more intense than merely warm weather and usually implies discomfort, humidity, or exhaustion.
Easily confused with sweltering
Sultry often emphasizes humid, sensuous heat, whereas sweltering emphasizes the physical discomfort of intense heat.